Cfl Deal Rides On Rights To Williams

Return To Nfl Is Main Issue

Ricky Williams likely will play for the Toronto Argonauts this season if the Dolphins' rights to the suspended running back are legally protected, a source said.

The Dolphins are seeking an agreement that would terminate Williams' contract with the Argonauts after one season, ensuring his return upon completion of the Canadian Football League season in November without legal challenge. One issue is the standard option year on all CFL contracts.

According to Kevin McDonald, director of football operations for the CFL, any player entering his option year is free to sign with an NFL team from Jan. 1-Feb. 15 without clearing waivers. If a player doesn't sign, he must clear waivers before being released by the CFL.

Lawyers from the two teams are currently drafting legal documents, which must be approved by Williams and finalized by the CFL and the NFL.

If the documents are approved and the Dolphins give Williams permission to negotiate with Toronto, it is expected that he would play one year for an estimated $300,000, according a source.

Williams, who is under a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, is still under contract to the Dolphins through the 2008 season.

The CFL and the NFL have had an agreement governing player movement since 1997. Though the agreement allows CFL teams to sign players suspended from the NFL, it does not address players who are under contract with NFL teams.

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith, who was suspended for 2005 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, recently signed with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He wasn't under contract so normal rules for player movement applied.

Once the process is completed, the owners of the Argonauts, Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon, have said they said want a face-to-face meeting with Williams to talk about their expectations, his drug use and his willingness to promote an anti-drug policy among the youth of Toronto, a position the team strongly supports.

While Williams' first three failed drug tests were for marijuana, a source said the most recent one was for a substance related to his practice of holistic medicine. Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, repeatedly has said Williams no longer uses illegal drugs and added that it would be contrary to his beliefs relating to holistic medicine.

The Argonauts have faced criticism in the Toronto media for pursuing Williams, considering the team's stance in the community regarding youth and drugs.

Argonauts training camp begins today. The 18-game CFL season begins June 16. The Argos play their first preseason game June 2.